Respirator



April 4, 1939. N. scHwR-rz l l 2,153,437

RESPIRATOR Filed June 16, 1937 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTOR 4 @dm/JW;

April 4i, 1.939. N, SCHWARTZ RESPIRATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16, 1937 Patented Apr. 4, 1939 AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

5 Claims.'

This invention relates to iilter type respirators adapted to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer for the purpose of protection against dust fumes and gases and is a modification of my co- 5 pending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 124,851, i'lling date February 9, 19,37.

The invention broadly aims to improve on the constructionof the lter unit by providing an inlet port with an arrangement -to accommodate l removable lter materials of varying thicknesses and also to space the said material from its supporting frame wall or plate, and another feature is to provide a leak proof engagement of the face of the wearer and the face piece of Ithe l` respirator. More particularly the invention resides in the construction of a ca'ing with a circumferential wall, having a side wall Awith an aperture for connection with the face piece of the respirator,

2o and at the forward end the said circumferential wall has an inturned flange. A resilient foraminous supporting element is provided for the filter material. provided which may be attached to the supporting element o r to the frame wall or plate. 'Ihe said spacing means, being resilient, have the properties of contracting or expanding and thereby provide large'rfor smaller space for the ilter material insertion; that is, the lter material is removably` attached between the said inturned ilangeA and the marginal end of the supporting element, and, if the lter material is thick, the spacebetweeri the iilterv material and the vsupportingelement is widened' by the act of the insertion ofthe saidl material. y'I'h saidj'widening is that `the spacer'\retracts upon pres'surell.v "On the other hand, the said spacer exi pandsjwh'en thinner lter material-is inserted.

Therefore;.the lter spacei'sautomatically nar-7 i vides'azspace for the'freeflow. of air behind the v nlterinaterial thereby providil'ig.` a large-filter area for :light: duty. Three 'forms ,of portsv are-illustrated herein.

I501 Another feature is the provision of a ciiefoxm` able-iur resilient wire conveniently emplaced at a ksetback: portion below the nose line, which extends from the said set baci: portion rearward and upward to provide pressure at the nasal 55 partei' the said Vface piece for the purpose of Also resilient spacing means are reason for the isv nctedtnerefcre that the resilien'tspacing means-`l has a' double| usefulness; y namely, 4it pro' (Cl. 12S-146) making an air tight contact between the face of the wearer and the face piece of the respirator. With the above recited and other objects in view reference is had to the following description and accompanying drawings in which there 5 is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention, while the claims describe the actual scope of the same.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of the improved respirator 10 in applied position.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 3. Figure 3'is a front view of the improved respirator, and the filter casing is broken in parts to illustrate the several layers. 15 Figure 4 is a broken par-t of the casingillus trating interrupted elevations which dene grooves at the marginal portion.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5`5 of Figure 3. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the `supporting 20 foraminous plate.

Figure 7 is a front view of the casing in a.' modiiled form (second form).

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 7,A showing the resilient spacing means. 25

Figure 9 is a detailed view of the casing, partly broken.

Figure 10 illustrates the resilient spacer before it is folded.. y

Figure 1-1 showsthe .same spacer'partly folded.` 30 Figure 12 is a perspective View of spacer, in a folded position, and in applied form l Figure 13 is a front View of the casing in an.- other modied form, (thirdform). u

Figure 14 is a section online i v4--14l of Figure 1,3. 35 `Figure 15 is an exploded Viewl of the gauze filter material and wire mesh spacer andl support. Figure 16 is a. perspective view ofwir'le mesh.'

.spacersupportl Figure 17 is an enlarged perspective view` cf the ,40

foraminous span ,support for,the' anteriorj por-l" tion ofthespongeffllter. y Q .Y

Referring to the drawings by characters of vref v erence A designates'the face piece vof the respiraf' f tori; B, the lterunit; C, the exhaust'valve';.`D, rthe '45j .f

head bands; E, the foraminous supporting'and spacing plate in the rst form; F, the wire frame support for face piece; G, the spacing means in form two.

The face piece vis preferably madeof molded z' elastic rubber or its equivalent. #It isadapted` to cover the nose and mouth of thewearer, and is contoured to the shape of the nose and cheek and chin. It has a vertical nose covering'portion I0 and av set back below `the nose line, whichset back defines a horizontal nose covering portion II, and a vertical mouth and chin covering portion I2. At the nasal area of said face piece, externally and sidewise, button elevations I3 are provided and the said elevations are perforated I4 for insertion of the wire terminals 35.

The wire frame support F is preferably resilient so that it automatically maintains a constant pressure against the face piece A at the nasal area. That is, it is shaped with an inward bend at the lateral part 34, and due to its resiliency, it exerts a constant inward pressure as per its contour and therefore it provides the vsaid pressure, which causes a tight and leak proof engagement of the facepiece A of the respirator and the face of the wearer. The said wire support F may be deformable instead of resilient and the said deformable quality may be used to maintain a similar pressure at the said nasal area. That is, the deformable wire is bent to a required ycontour and it has the quality to maintain the said contour and thereby it causes the necessary pressure at the said nasal area and thus provides the tight t that is required at the said area. The central portion 33, of the saidwire frame F, is emplaced at the set back portion below the nose line, preferably at the juncture of the horizontal nose covering portion II and the vertical mouth covering portion I2, and the said wire F extends to the extrusion I3 and is inserted in the perforation I4.

The face piece A is connected with the filter unit B by means of an aperture I5, located in the vertical mouth covering portion I2. The face piece A also has a set back I6 at the chin line, and the said set back I6 has an aperture I1 for connection with the exhaust valve C.

Head bands D are attached to the said face piece at the sides thereof. The said head bands have hooks and slides whereby the respirator is fastened to the head at the back of the neck.

The filter unit B has a casing I8, which has a circumferential wall I9, a vertical wall 20, and an inturned flange 2I. The said inturncd flange 2I is preferably disposed at an acute angle with relation to its base, which is the circumferential wall I9. The vertical wall 20 has an aperture 22 which connects with the aperture I1 of the face piece by means of an eyelet 23. The said vertical wall 2D also has a which are arranged symmetrically at the marginal end of the said wall 2D and extend circumferentially at the said area. The said casing I8 is preferably of a light aluminum construction, and the elevations are formed by means of indenting the aluminum wall 20. symmetrical grooves 25 are formed between the said elevations. The function of these grooves will be explained later.

The resilient supporting and spacing plate E is constructed preferably of aluminum. It is provided With symmetrically disposed apertures 26, preferably 4 in number. The locations of these apertures are such that in assembling they may be caused to register with the apertures I and 22. Also perforations 21 are provided in the said plate E. The said plate E4 is also provided with arm supports 28, preferably four in number, symmetrically disposed at the marginal edges of the plate. The said arm supports 28 extend under the inturncd flange 2I of the casing in a substantially arcuate shape. The rear portion 29 of the said arm 28 is made of fitting size; namely, that it is to fit the groove 25 of the wall 20. The main purpose of the` emplacement of the arms plurality of elevations 24.

28 in the grooves 25 is to provide and maintain the apertures 26 in a confronting position with the aperture 22. Any one of the four apertures 2B maybe adjusted to register with the aperture 22. The symmetrical arrangement in the construction provides for this feature. The need of having the said apertures 26 and 22 in a registering vposition is that thereby the filter material 30 may be easily displaced by means of the nger or a blunt instrument inserted into the said apertures.

The exhaust valve C has an aluminum tube 3| at its inlet. The said tube 3| maintains the said inlet patent. The inlet end 32 of the exhaust valve is inserted into the aperture I1 and adhesively attached thereat.

It is to be noted that the elevations 24 are inward. That is, indents are made from without. Also, the size of the plate E, is made substantially to approximate the diameter of the inturned ange 'circumferentially That is the edges of the plate E extendvcircumferentially to the edges of inturncd flange. The resiliency of the plate E makes it possible to insert and remove the same from the casing. Likewise, due to the said resiliency of the material used, the arms or extension 28 may be caused to contract or expand; that is, to lower on contraction and to rise on expansion. Therefore, when the lter material 30 is inserted, the plate E is lowered, and there is a constant outward pressure exerted by the arms 28, whereby the marginal edges of the filter material 30 is tightly impinged between the marginal edges of the plate E and the edges of the inturncd flange 2|. The arms 28 are constructed, so that the average thin filter material is tightly impinged, and its resiliency and yield must be such as to permit the use of the average thick filter material. The usefulness of this is obvious. The same respirator may be altere for light or for heavy duty. There is no need of a heavy duty filter for light work. The thin. lighter, filter pad permits easier breathing.

It is also to be noted that the wire frame support F is subdivided for description purposes into a central portion 33, side portions 34 and terminals 35.

In the second form of this invention, illustrated in Figures '7, 8, 9, 10, 1l, and 12, a plurality of spacer elements F are provided and the material is preferably of a resilient and deformable aluminum metal. The said spacers F are riveted at 36 to the casing wall 20. Three such spacing elements F are usually preferred. A wire mesh support 31 is arranged over the spacing elements F, and a lter material 30 is placed over the wire mesh 31. The edges of the said filter material 30 are removably inserted into the space between the inturncd flange 2I andthe marginal portion of the wire mesh 31. The said wire mesh 31 is made of resilient and deformable metal wire material and extends in size to at least the edges of the inturncd marginal fiange 2|. This form may be preferred by some users because the wire mesh 31 may be inserted when the filter material is inserted, and a new wire mesh support may be advisable every time the filter material is changed. This condition is preferred when there are exacting duties for the respirator. The wire mesh 31 is cheaper then the plate E. v

In the third form of this invention a convenient arrangement is provided for a combination gauze arid sponge lter unit. The wire mesh support 38 is slit at its edges at several places, preferably four, and the said `slit edge 39 is folded inward.

The said wire mesh 38 is resilient and deformable. This form is illustrated in Figures 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Two such wire mesl supports 38 are used and they enclose gauze filter material 40'. The inturned slit edges 39 confront the wall 20 of the casing I8, and provide a spacing at the saidwall 20 for the free ow of filtered air. IThus it maintains a large lter area which makes breathing .easy. 'Ilhe slit edges 39 in the second wire mesh 38 confront the sponge filter materiaL 4I. Foraminous span supports 42 are provided. These are deformable, and preferably two of them are, inserted between the sponge lter 4I and the inturned ange 2| for the purpose of retaining the said sponge lter 4| in position. The advantage of this lter arrangement is the provision of a large filter area for a gauze and sponge iilte'r arrangement. -Gauze and sponge ilter combination Ais useful when neutralizing solutions are needed for acid or for alkali fumes.

oi the wire mesh supports in the second and third forms of this invention, serted and removed from the casing I8. The wire mesh support 38 also has a slight deformable quality which' permits the slitting and the formation of the fold 39. It is also to be clearly understood that the edges of the supporting ele-'1, ments are to extend to the edges of the inturned ange as illustrated in Figures 2, 5, 8, and 13EE The resilient spacing arms 28 extend slightly beyond the edges of the ange .2|, but due to its@ resiliency, it is removable from thecasing. l.

It is also to be understood that the foraminous-l span supports 42 for the spongevlter material in the third form of this invention have their edges extend beyond the edges of the ange 2|. Nevertheless, due to their deformable quality, they are readily removed and reinserted.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent as follows: i

1. A respirator, a hollow mask body oi? substantially flexible material,- adapted to` cover the nose andmouth of the wearer, having a set back porf on below the nose line dening a horizontal nose covering portion and a vertical mouth coveringportion. a supporting element having a centraf portion as'well as sides and terminal ends, with fheleat `loi' the edges the said central portion emplaced in the said set back portion, the sides extending to the nasal` area of the said body, and the terminal ends arranged thereat to cause pressure to the said body at the saidnasal area, thereby providing a the they may be readily in=r` flange, lter material,

' between the said flange rresilient spacing means cnarrrrcarir .or CORRECT-Ion. 'y Patent No.. 2,155,157-,

' f Mmm SCHWARTZ.v

'sure thereat, whereby a leak proof engagement is provided between the face of the wearer and the said body at the said area.

face of the wearer having an inlet port, a iilter unit having a wall with an aperture, filter material, foraminous supporting element for the said material, and resilient folded means interposed between the said element and the said wall, the said material being mounted in the said filter unit in confronting relation to the said element, and the said element spaced from the said wall by the said resilient folded means, thereby providing for the free iiow of air thereat, and the said inlet port connected with the said aperture whereby communication is established between the said face piece and the said lter unit. v

4. A respirator, a face piece adapted to engage the face of the wearer, having an inlet port, a filter unit having a wall with an aperture, filter material and a foraminous supporting element with a plurality of resilient marginal inturned eX- tensions, the said material being mounted in the said lter unit inconfronting relationwith the said supporting element, with the said element spaced $5 from the said wall by means of the said inturned extensions, thereby providing for the free flow air thereat, and the said inlet port being connected with the said aperture thereby establishing communication therebetween. i

5. A separator, for filter type respirators, havan4 inlet port with a rigid marginal inturned supporting element for the said material. and resilient spacing means, with' the said material removably inserted at its edges, and the said element, the mounted abuttingly with element causing pressure which pressure is directed towards the whereby the space forthe insertion of the lter material isv automatically accommodating in size for the reception of varied thicknesses of lter material.'

NATHAN SCHWARTZ.

i Apri; i u. 1959:

h l ft is hereby certified that erronappear's in' the printed `speeiificatficvn of the above nimbered patent requiring correction as follows; Page 5', sec -ond colmnn, 'line h1, claiin 5, for'the syllable "hav-"' read having; andthat rection therein that the I Patent Office.v

, Signed and sealed this 11th day-of- JulypA'.v D. 199, w

Henry Van Ar-sdale Acting Commissioner of' Patents.

leak proof engagement between the" face of the` 1o A respirator, a face piece adapted to engage 16 

